Method of making iced dressing



April 14, 1970 ZDENEK 3,506,013

METHOD OF MAKING ICED DRESSING IN VENTOR BETTY J. ZDENEK BwMEM eT ATT' YS.

United States Patent 3,506,013 METHOD OF MAKING ICED DRESSING Betty J. Zdenek, 8742 Albany Ave., Evergreen Park, Ill. 60642 Filed Oct. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 586,807 Int. Cl. A61f 7/10 US. Cl. 128-402 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A disposable sterile iced dressing having one or more storage compartments which, at the time of manufacture, are filled with a suitable liquid such as water, hermetically sealed, sterilized and packaged in a protective container. If desired, these bandages can be placed on a form shaped in accordance with a predetermined portion of a patients body to which they are to be applied and while on said form frozen to provide a preshaped rigid sterile iced dressing.

The present invention generally relates to bandages and, more particularly, concerns a novel iced dressing bandage having one or more storage compartments which, at the time of manufacture, are filled with a suitable liquid such as water, hermetically sealed, sterilized and packaged in a protective container. These bandage packages are then stored at reduced temperatures (i.e. in a freezer) until needed for use.

Ice bag devices having a variety of shapes and sizes are well known in the prior art. For example, in US. Letters Patent No. 1,567,931, a rectangularly shaped compress is described which includes a pocket that can be filled with ice or hot or cold water for use in relieving pain, congestion and inflammation. A pair of straps are provided for attaching the compress to the head or neck of the user. Similarly, in US. Letters Patent No. 1,569,877, a closed-end tubular container lined with a waterproof material is shown having a number of separate compartments arranged in series, each of which can be filled with ice and wrapped around the head or body of a patient for use as a temperature control means. Other ice-bag type devices typical of the state of this art are shown in US. Letters Patents Nos.: 1,127,221; 1,169,123; 1,870,143; 1,964,655; 1,964,962; and 2,796,903.

All of the devices described in these prior art patents have in common the disadvantage that they require filling with a suitable coolant at the time of intended use. This prerequisite filling operation necessitates that the user have a supply of ice or cold water available, is time consuming, and seriously limits the shape and size of the ice bag since the ice receiving chamber thereof must be sized so that it can accommodate conventionally sized ice cubes. In addition, the filling operation provides an opportunity for bacteria and the like to contaminate the outer surface thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel bandage is provided which overcomes each of the above mentioned disadvantages. This iced dressing bandage is particularly suitable for use in hospitals, factory infirmaries and homes in the first aid treatment of burns, and to relieve pain and reduce edema. An important embodiment of the present invention generally involves a bandage having an inner compartment formed of a water impermeable material such as a plastic film which, at time of manufacture, is filled with water, hermetically sealed and completely covered with an absorbent fabric material such as gauze. The thus formed bandage is then sterilized and placed in a container in which sterility can be maintained. The purchaser of such bandage packages then normally stores these packages in the freezer compartment until 3,506,013 Patented Apr. 14, 1970 "ice needed for use, at which time he need merely remove a bandage from its protective package and apply it to the affected area.

As will be more fully set forth below, bandages embodying the present invention can be formed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes which are particularly adapted for local application to specific body areas. For example, bandage sleeves or mittens made in accordance with the present invention provide an effective means by which a patients hands, arms or legs can be treated.

The bandages of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in hospitals in post operative treatment since their sterility can be effectively maintained in a suitable package which need not be opened until immediately prior to application of the bandage to the patient. Furthermore since these bandages have outer layers of gauze and are shaped in accordance with the body area to be treated their use in hospitals can result in substantial savings in time to hospital personnel. For example, an ice collar is very often prescribed following a thyroidectomy. In such cases a nurse first fills a rubber ice collar with ice cubes, covers the same with a towel and applies it to a patients neck. The iced dressings of the present invention could effectively replace the ice collar conventionally used and thereby provide a sterilized form fitting bandage which would contain an inner water filled compartment that, in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, would be stored on a neck-shaped form in a freezer from which they could be readily removed and simply applied to the patients neck. Similarly, during childbirth an incision is often made called an episiotomy. Commonly a physician will order ice applied to this area (the perineum) to prevent edema. Under conventional techniques, a 4" x 4" gauze pad is first placed over the incision and an ice collar filled with ice cubes is then placed thereover. A peri-pad is then generally used to cover the iced collar. This technique is clumsy and very often ineffective. In accordance with the present invention a single iced dressing shaped to fit the affected area can be effectively used to provide an easy to apply, highly efficient sterilized iced dressing.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a method of making a new and improved iced dressing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of making a new and improved iced dressing bandage which incorporates a water-filled inner compartment or pocket, which bandage is adapted to be stored on a suitable body simulating form in a freezer or other low temperature storage area, whereby when the water in said inner compartment is frozen said bandage will assume a rigid shape which conforms to the predetermined body area simulated by said form.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of making an improved iced dressing bandage which is packaged in a suitable protective package in which the bandage can be stored at reduced temperatures until ready for use.

Additional objects and advantages of the present-invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1,is a plan view, partially in phantom, of an iced dressing bandage illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along the line 2--2, of the iced dressing bandage shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of ice holding compartments adapted for use with the iced dressing bandages of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, :aken along the line 4-4, of the ice hoiding compartnent shown in FIGURE 3 FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a U-shaped iced lressing bandage illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along :he fine 6, of the U-shaped iced dressing bandage shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a mitten shaped iced lressing bandage illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, :aken along the line 88, of the iced dressing bandage ihown in FIGURE 7.

Referring to the drawing, and with particular reference :0 FIGURES l and 2, the numerai 10 generally desigiates an iced dressing bandage embodying principles. of be present invention and having an inner compartment [1 formed of a fluid impermeable material, preferably a plastic, in which a liquid, preferably water, is contained. as is best shown in FIGURE 2, inner compartment 11 is surrounded by an absorbent fabric material 13, such as, for example, gauze. If desired, the marginal portions along the outer surface of one side of the bandage 10 :an be provided with adhesive strips 14.

In accordance with the present invention, inner compartment 11 is first filled with the liquid 12 and then iermetically sealed. In instances where heat scalable plas- :ic films are used, the compartment upon being filled can no heat sealed to provide a water filled sack over which ayers of gauze are placed. In the illustrated embodiment :he gauze layers 13a and 13b overlie the top and bottom :urfaces 11a and 11b, respectively, of inner compartment [1. The iced dressing bandage is then sterilized and placed it a package in which it can be shipped and further haniled without being contaminated. The ultimate user or aurchaser need merely store these iced dressing bandages, vhile in such packages, at reduced temperatures, so that he liquid contained in inner compartment 11 Will then freeze. When needed for use, it is only necessary to take bandage package from the freezer, remove the same :rom the package and place it adjacent the body portion :0 be so treated. As such, the iced dressing bandages of he present invention are effective for relieving pain, relucing edema and as a first aid treatment for burns. Since hese bandages are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, hey can, and preferably are, disposed of after first use.

As is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, inner compartment [1 of iced dressing bandage 10 is formed with a single :ompartment. This particular embodiment is especially .uitable for smaller bandages wherein the surface area tdjacent inner compartment 11 will be applied against 'elatively flat surfaces. It will be appreciated, however, hat in those instances wherein the surface area to be reared is significantly rounded or curved, that improved :ontact with such surface area can be provided by means if a water or ice filled compartment which is able to con- Form to the irregular surface either by reason of having Jeen previously frozen on a form simulating such a ser- Face or by reason of having hinge portions along which :aid bandage can be folded to assume said surface area shape.

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate an inner compartment 16 brmed with a plurality of separate subcompartments l6a16l which are separated from each other by longiudinal and lateral hinge portions 17a-17e. While not :ssential to the present invention, it is preferred that each If the inner compartments 16a-16l communicate with idjacerrt subcompartments so as to facilitate filling. In this 'egard, a plurality of communicating passages 18a-18c FIGURE 4) can be provided. In the illustrated embodinent, passage 18a communicates subcompartment 16f with subcompartment 16 passage 18b communicates sub- :ompartment 16g with subcompartment 16k and passage communicates subcompartment 16h with subcompartment 16!. It will be appreciated that corresponding passages can be provided which communicate laterally adjacent subcompartments, e.g. a passage communicating subcompartments 16 and 16g. In this regard, it should be noted that it is preferred that the cross sectional area of the passages 18a, b and c be sized so as to permit hinge portion 17a to be flexible. In other words, these passages are of relatively small size and when filled with a frozen material will readily break so that inner compartment 16 will easily fold along the line 17e.

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate another iced dressing bandage of the present invention wherein a single continuous fluid containing compartment 21 is employed. As is best shown in FIGURE 6, inner compartment 21 is filled with a fluid 22, preferably water, and surrounded by a layer or layers of gauze or other absorbent fabric 23. Iced dressing bandage 20 is particularly adapted for use on a patients arm or leg. In this particular embodiment the water-filled bandage 20 is placed on a U-shaped form in a freezer compartment so that when the liquid 22 freezes, it wiii provide the iced dressing 20 with a rigid shape which will snugly fit against a patients arm or leg.

FIGURES 7-8 illustrate an iced dressing bandage 25 shaped in the form of a mitten. As is best shown in FIG- URE 8, iced dressing bandage 25 includes a top layer 26 of gauze or other suitable absorbent fabric, a fluid filled sack 27 directly adjacent thereto and a second layer of gauze 28 which is interposed between the fluid containing compartment 27 and the patients hand. Outer or top layer 26 is continuous and as is shown in FIGURE 8, extends around the bottom of the mitten to provide a hand receiving recess.

Iced dressing bandages 20 and 25 are particularly suitable for use in the first aid treatment of burns to the arms and hands, respectively. Conventionally, when a burn victim is brought into the emergency room of a hospital and cold packs are prescribed by the doctor, the nurse will usually obtain some ice, place it in a bowl, put a gauze dressing in the bowl and then pijace the thus chilled gauze dressing directly on the burn with continual changing of these dressings as they warm. With iced dressing bandages of the type described in these figures, it is only necessary for the nurse to go to a freezer where these bandages are kept, remove the bandage from the package and place it directly on the patients burnt body portion. Due to the fact that these iced dressing bandages have a shape which conforms to these body pertions, thorough contacting thereof with the bandage is easily obtained. Furthermore, since these bandages are kept in protective packages until ready for immediate use, the likelihood of infecting any such body portion with these bandages is virtually eliminated.

In the foregoing description, a number of different embodiments of the present invention have been set forth. It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that such iced dressing bandages can be formed in a virtually unlimited number of shapes and sizes. For example, entire bedsheets can be made in accordance with the general construction described in FIGURES 1 and 2 for treatment of severe burn cases wherein large portions of the body have been burned. Other modifications and variations of the present invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claim.

I claim:

1. A method of making a rigid sterile iced dressing shaped for intimate contact with a predetermined portion of a patients body, said method comprising the steps of forming a liquid-receivable container from a water impermeable film, filling said container with a liquid and sealing said container, attaching at least one layer of an absorbent fabric to said liquid filled container, sterilizing said absorbent fabric and liquid filled container, placing 5 6 said liquid filled container on a form shaped in accord- Refer e Cited ance with a predetermined portion of a patients body, freezing the liquid in said absorbent fabric covered con- UNITED STATES PATENTS tainer while said absorbent fabric covered container is on ,5 19 Yonng 128403 said form, whereby said fabric covered container assumes 5 3,175,558 3/ 1965 c llloue te et a1. 128403 a rigid shape in conformity with said predetermined portion of a patients body. WILLIAM E. KAMM, Primary Examiner 

